Rapper DMX‘s family confirmed reports that he suffered a heart attack and is in “critical” condition at a White Plains, New York hospital. They did not confirm what led to the heart attack, but sources told TMZ that DMX, 50, overdosed. His family thanked fans for their support, telling TMZ it was “reassuring” to see fans reach out. His children are reportedly on their way to the hospital. DMX, whose real name is Earl Simmons, has struggled with substance abuse in the past and went to rehab multiple times.
“Last night Earl ‘DMX’ Simmons was rushed to the hospital after collapsing at home. At this time he remains in ICU in critical condition,” the new statement reads. “Earl has been a warrior his entire life. This situation represents yet another road he must conquer.” His family “appreciates” the support from fans.
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“Earl is someone whose life and music have been a source of inspiration and strength to so many people around the world,” the statement continued. “It is reassuring to see his fans return that same passion and energy to him during his time of need.” A family source also told TMZ that DMX’s children were flying to New York to be with him. “It’s not looking good,” one family source said.
“I received a call this morning that Earl Simmons was in the hospital, at the White Plains Hospital, and that he had had a heart attack, and I’m not sure how it was induced and that he’s on life support,” Simmons’ attorney, Murray Richman, told ABC7 Saturday morning. Richman spoke with Simmons’ family and said the performer was in the middle of making a movie when he suffered a heart attack. Richman also told PIX11 that DMX was taken off life support, but he called the station later Saturday to say he was misinformed and “has misspoken.”
“I’ve spoken to the family and the family and I are quite close with each other,” Richman told ABC7. “I am concerned about his well-being and mindful of his significance. I have known Earl for over 25 years and I believe that his music is quite poignant, very important. He’s truly a poet of our time.”
Sources close to Simmons told TMZ he suffered an overdose at around 11 p.m. Friday night at his home, and the overdose triggered a heart attack. One source told the outlet Simmons has “some brain activity,” but another said he was in a “vegetative state.” Doctors “cautioned he may not make it,” TMZ reported.
The rapper’s most recent rehab stint was in 2019 after he was released from a 12-month prison sentence on tax evasion charges. Simmons reportedly checked himself into rehab because he was worried he would relapse. After he finished his time in rehab, he performed in Las Vegas in December 2019. In July 2020, he took part in a Verzuz battle with Snoop Dogg.
DMX began performing in the early 1990s and made his major-label debut in 1998 with It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot, which featured his hits “Get at Me Dog,” “Stop Being Greedy” and “Ruff Ryders Anthem.” In February, DMX appeared on Revolt’s Drink Champs, where he shared some details on his next album, reports Uproxx. He said the tracklist will include “Skyscrapers,” an unexpected collaboration with U2 frontman Bono. He credited Swizz Beatz with helping connect him to the singer. “S—’s crazy. It got a Miami feel to it. I feel like I want to shoot the video here,” DMX said of “Skyscrapers.” He added that “all muthaf—s need to do is listen to it, and we good.”
Alicia Keys, Snoop Dogg, Lil Wayne, and Usher will also appear on the new record. Usher is heard on a track called “Letter to My Son.” “When I first did it, the only issue was the piano. Then my man, Ryan King Joseph, he plays the violin,” DMX said. “It was just piano on the song, and I never did a song with one instrument before. It came out crazy, it hits you. And then I heard [Joseph’s] work, and put him on the joint.”
